Buckeyes cap back-to-back perfect regular seasons with wild win in The Game

Posted by John Taylor on November 30, 2013, 3:48 PM EDT

AP

It was far from easy, as is ofttimes the case when it comes to The Game. But, ultimately, it ended the same way Ohio State’s previous 23 games had — with Buckeyes on the correct side of the scoreboard.

Behind the one-two workhorse punch of Braxton Miller and Carlos Hyde, Ohio State was able to hang on in the face of hated rival Michigan’s furious fourth-quarter rally and stake its claim to a 42-41 win in the Big House. The Buckeyes took a 35-21 lead into the fourth quarter only to see it evaporate on the strength of a pair of Devin Gardner touchdown passes, the second of which came with 5:01 remaining and knotted the score at 35-all.

An OSU touchdown nearly three minutes later was matched by UM with :32 left. Eschewing a game-tying extra point that would’ve nearly guaranteed overtime, Brady Hoke made the gutsy — and correct — call to go for two and the likely win. Gardner’s pass, however, was intercepted at the goal line, securing what was a wildly-entertaining win for the Buckeyes.

The victory capped the second straight undefeated season for the Buckeyes, who have not lost under second-year coach Urban Meyer. This is the eighth time in the past nine games — that have officially counted — OSU has beaten That School Up North, which still holds a 58-44-6 edge in the ultimate gridiron grudge match.

Miller and Hyde combined to rush for 379 yards, 153 for the former and 226 for the latter. Hyde’s total is a record for an Ohio State player in The Game, while Miller ran for three touchdowns and passed for two more.

Gardner passed for 451 yards and four touchdowns — three of which came in that wild fourth quarter — in what was the Wolverines’ fifth loss of the season.

The win extended OSU’s school-record winning streak to 24 straight. It’s tied for the 27th-longest winning streak in FBS history, joining Boise State (2009-10), Princeton (1949-52), Minnesota (1903-05), Nebraska (1901-04, Yale (1894-95; 1882-84) and Harvard (1890-91). They are now five games away from tying Michigan’s record of 29 for a Big Ten school set from 1903-05.

The win also kept alive the Buckeyes’ hopes for a shot at a BCS title. They don’t however, control their own destiny. If Alabama and Florida State win out, it will be the Tide and Seminoles vying for the crystal regardless of what the Buckeyes’ do in the Big Ten Championship game against Michigan State next weekend.

I would hope that if Alabama, Auburn or Missouri win out they’d get in, but I doubt it. Ohio State’s two best road wins are over teams with a combined 12 losses. Just not good enough. Boise State played better teams and got shut out.

BrownsTown says:Nov 30, 2013 3:57 PM

Come on up to Columbus and play then. Man up and cross the Mason-Dixon Line to play a road game.

Chickens…

vincentbojackson says:Nov 30, 2013 3:59 PM

Please, dear god, save us from OSU backing into the National Championship game!

Can you even imagine what Alabama and FSU would do to that pitiful OSU defense?

No one wants to see an OSU bcs championship game. Even OSU fans. The embarrassment would be too much for them, and the blowout would be no fun for the rest of us.

bballnut50 says:Nov 30, 2013 4:06 PM

jammers11- hey SEC lackey..go troll somewhere else cannot wait for the Gophs to kick some SEC ass!!! Great game Michigan you deserved to win. Knew you would be tough to beat, you guys always show class!!

vincentbojackson says:Nov 30, 2013 4:10 PM

BrownsTown:
Q: What do a 16GB iPad and the Florida Gators have in common?

A: Both are under five hundred.

——————

Leave it to a Browns fan to come up with a joke about bad football. I’d imagine you’ve heard them all over the years.

@raiderskin – yes, that’s what I always love about The Game. Season record typically means nothing.

Higher scoring that most… but both D’s are still building.

@vincentbo and classyjack – can you imagine what that OSU offense would do to the Bama or FSU Defense???
See Bama week 3… ‘L’
Who has FSU played that has the firepower of OSU? Nobody. Boston College hung 34 on them… please…

canetic says:Nov 30, 2013 4:23 PM

OSU is a joke. 24 wins in a row and nothing to show for it. At least the voters have caught on.

doctorrustbelt says:Nov 30, 2013 4:27 PM

Anyone older than 20 yrs. knows anything is possible in THE RIVALRY.

Too many people were blinded by Coach Tressel’s DOMINANCE.

O – H – I – O ! ! !

ohioguy614 says:Nov 30, 2013 4:28 PM

Go ahead haters…hate all you want, but we are 24-0. When was the last time your team did that. When facing adversity a few times this year, Ohio State pulled out wins.

So tired of people praising any other top teams that squeak out victories, but then turn around and berate Ohio State when they do the same.

I’ll be anxious to hear how talking heads on TV and radio compare this OSU victory to Auburns victory of last week. They are almost identical in opponents, records and a last second win. But last week, they called it a ‘miracle’ and kissed Auburns ass for a week. I bet those same idiots will be trying to prove why Ohio State doesn’t deserve to be No. 3 this week because Michigan happened to play their game of the year against them.

Ohio State’s first top 10 game in 2 years next week, meanwhile Auburn could beat two top 4 ranked teams in a row and be shut out. Doesn’t seem fair that the ranking of Ohio State’s best win is more than the two best wins Auburn could have.

It’s rude when you stare at people, so I would guess staring a wr down on a 2 pt conversion would be frowned upon as well

countduku says:Nov 30, 2013 4:55 PM

If Auburn does beat Alabama, they would have to pass Ohio State in the BCS. No two ways about it.

canetic says:Nov 30, 2013 4:57 PM

The only reason OSU has won 24 games in a row is because they didn’t play a bowl game last year (i.e. didn’t have to play a decent team out of conference). They should never play a bowl game and then they can claim to be 100-0.

SEC teams pump their cheats about being the greatest conference in the nation, but refuse to play the Big 10 in the north. But have no problem playing the Big 10 in bowl games in Florida or Louisiana, etc.

thraiderskin says:Nov 30, 2013 5:02 PM

Damn… the B1G is bad, but Duke is in the ACC championship… keep talking ACC trolls, you’re nothing to brag about.

BrownsTown says:Nov 30, 2013 5:05 PM

Penn St vs. Miami in the Sears Used-To-Be-Relevant Bowl.

2late2matter says:Nov 30, 2013 5:11 PM

At least Michigan didn’t “kiss its sister” like Notre Dame did against Michigan State in their epic 1966 game that ended tied. Good game!

taintedlombardis says:Nov 30, 2013 5:13 PM

The officiating was horrible. Fumble by the Michigan QB was BS. Clearly. Phantom personal foul against Michigan as well. Even the announcers couldn’t speak on the source of the call. Those were just the obvious ones.

Ohio State has played nobody in two years. getting fat playing the little sisters of the poor.

dkhhuey says:Nov 30, 2013 5:18 PM

Another classic slobber knocker in The Game – it brings out the best in every player and it shows! Ugly is beautiful in this game and am happy to come out of AA with a victory for it doesn’t happen that often!

@pole – hoped it would be a blowout but knew it wouldn’t!!! You guys showed up and went blow to blow until the end – nicely done!!!

The only time Brady Hoke uncrosses his lard arms is when it’s time to eat. Which is often. Very often.

taintedlombardis says:Nov 30, 2013 5:29 PM

Why are Ohio St. fans happy? This slim victory against a bad Michigan should drop them to at least the teens.

10kmp says:Nov 30, 2013 5:30 PM

Ohio State alum/huge Buckeye fan here…

I agree, in totality, with the posters on here saying the Buckeyes are a “pretender” to the crown. This defense is abysmal. The D-Line didn’t show up AT ALL. The missed tackles were horrendous. This defense gave up over 600 yards to a very average (at best) TTUN team. It pains me to say this as Ohio State is a part of me and my family. I grew up in a house (in which my dad still lives) that is a 20 minute walk from the 50 yard line in Ohio Stadium. I live and die, at almost 50 years of age, with the Buckeye football team… but because of the ineptitude of the defense this team is NOT the third best team in the country. It’s really that simple. It isn’t for lack of talent though. Ohio State almost always secures a top 10 recruiting class. It’s Luke Fickell and his staff. Horrible. Absolutely horrible. Mark Dantonio, working with 1/5 the talent that Fickell has at his disposal, has a beast of a defense at MSU. Go away Fickell. Please just go away…

Correct me if I’m wrong here, but wins do not carry over from season to season. Therefore, saying Ohio State is 24-0 has no bearing on this season.

Even in Alabama’s WORST game, they won by 2TD’s. Even in FSU’s WORST game, they won by 2TD’s as well.

Ohio State has played NO ONE of consequence. Period. Some of that is due to the down Big Ten, but come on: Their out-of-conference was crap. Alabama can overcome theirs because of the SEC. Ohio State could not and that’s on Urban Meyer. If Ohio State is *SO* much better than Alabama or Florida State, then they should have played an Oregon or Oklahoma State out of conference and proved it. But they have done this for YEARS.

Facts are facts, even if OSU fans do not want to hear it: Alabama and Florida State are the two best teams in the nation and if they win out, they are in. Maybe next year Ohio State will schedule someone of significance, or they are going to be right back where they are this year: Undefeated and having to win another game to get into the National Championship.

10kmp says:Nov 30, 2013 5:56 PM

@joerevs300

Facts are facts, even if OSU fans do not want to hear it: Their out-of-conference was crap. Alabama can overcome theirs because of the SEC. Ohio State could not and that’s on Urban Meyer.

Meyer had nothing to do with this seasons OOC schedule. It was made years in advance. If you think schedules are made in the 7 months between football seasons I’m not sure why you’re even commenting on a college football site…

countduku says:Nov 30, 2013 6:00 PM

Is Ohio State a .500 team if they were in the SEC?? up for yes,down for no….

taintedlombardis says:Nov 30, 2013 6:21 PM

Ohio St. is barely .500 with an ACC schedule.

dietrich43 says:Nov 30, 2013 6:23 PM

I love how everyone dumps on Ohio State losing two title games. They forget the Miami, where no one gave OSU a chance. The LSU game, OSU finished their season about 8th and had everyone ahead of them lose, they were in that game only because someone had to be. And the other title game they lost? The winning coach is now on their sideline. I wouldn’t OSU against the Tide or Noles, but I would like to see what Urban Meyer coyld do with a month to prepare.

waynefontes says:Nov 30, 2013 6:33 PM

I don’t like Ohio State, but it’s foolish to think that they would only be an average team in the SEC.

They would be in the Top 3 – I don’t know where, they could be anywhere from 1 to 3. But they’re better than all of the East, and most of the West.

They’re a very good team. Next week’s Big Ten championship game should be interesting, and will serve as a great litmus test for OSU.

ohioguy614 says:Nov 30, 2013 6:35 PM

Schedules are made YEARS in advance so if you continue to post stupid dribble like ‘play someone better next year’, go somewhere else and post. Ohio State has played teams like Texas, USC, Notre Dame most recently and, Virginia Tech, Oklahoma, in the near future. Can’t help it if teams like Cal become irrelevant 7 years after you schedule them.

waynefontes says:Nov 30, 2013 6:51 PM

taintedlombardis says:
Nov 30, 2013 5:13 PM
The officiating was horrible. Fumble by the Michigan QB was BS. Clearly. Phantom personal foul against Michigan as well. Even the announcers couldn’t speak on the source of the call. Those were just the obvious ones.
—————————————————-

You’re awesome. You whine about officiating in SEC games, Big 10 games and NFL games. Since you’re so smart, you should be the head of officiating in both the NCAA and the NFL.

At least you’re consistent in your whining – you do it everywhere. Of course, you never praise your team in either college football or the NFL

I’m hoping you’re not a Notre Dame fan, since they benefit from questionable calls more than any other school.

@DrRustbelt… OSU at #3 in the nation… and it was down the final 32 seconds. Seriously… how is that painful for Michigan? You’re crazy.

All of you commenting about ‘scheduling’ ANYTHING ‘next year’… should at least have a clue when you post… scheds are done YEARS in advance… you know, like they’ve done for… decades. Go pop your pimples and get ready for school on Monday.

overratedgators says:Nov 30, 2013 7:03 PM

taintedlombardis: for a guy who thinks Ohio State is awful, you sure seemed to have watched pretty closely. That much of a hard-on for Braxton Miller, huh?

bobsnygiants says:Nov 30, 2013 7:03 PM

they didn’t play anyone.

thraiderskin says:Nov 30, 2013 7:22 PM

The trolls don’t understand “The Game.” It was this game that derailed the 95 buckeyes. A team that consisted of Eddie George, Terry Glenn, Mike Vrabel, Shawn Springs, Antoine Winfield and Orlando Pace. I’m sure many of the trolls recognize those names, but they still won’t get it. This game doesn’t know records, it doesn’t know projections, it only knows The Rivalry. So yeah, buckeye fans are excited, because its f***ing Michigan! Now go to bed trolls, because no matter how great you think everyone else is, you still aren’t Ohio State and Michigan.

taintedlombardis says:Nov 30, 2013 8:13 PM

waynefontes says:

….you’re so smart, you should be the head of officiating in both the NCAA and the NFL.

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When you’re right, you’re right!

thegloriousone says:Nov 30, 2013 9:23 PM

Was Nick Saban’s moronic decision to go for a zero percentage 57 yard field goal thus costing his team the national championship stupider than Hoke’s, who had nothing to lose, decision to go for two?

Vote up for yes.

By the way, the answer is yes.

Congratulations Auburn.

thegloriousone says:Nov 30, 2013 9:27 PM

dietrich43 says:Nov 30, 2013 6:23 PM

I love how everyone dumps on Ohio State losing two title games. They forget the Miami, where no one gave OSU a chance. The LSU game, OSU finished their season about 8th and had everyone ahead of them lose, they were in that game only because someone had to be

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So true, Dietrich.

It also bears noting that the game was a home game for LSU in the Sugar Bowl.

One day, the NCAA will allow Bowl games to be played in the snow and cold. Bring the Tide up to the Horseshoe and watch it freeze.

Hey thethunderofgunns… you’re awfully mouthy for a guy whose team was favored by over 2 TD’s and BARELY beat our lowly team by 1 point. Lots of luck next week against Sparty. You’ll need it. Hyde and Miller are great players, but they’re not going to run against MSU like they did against us today. MSU kicked the crap out of us and we almost beat you. I’ll take MSU next week….

harbourimages says:
Nov 30, 2013 10:17 PM
Hey thethunderofgunns… you’re awfully mouthy for a guy whose team was favored by over 2 TD’s and BARELY beat our lowly team by 1 point. Lots of luck next week against Sparty. You’ll need it. Hyde and Miller are great players, but they’re not going to run against MSU like they did against us today. MSU kicked the crap out of us and we almost beat you. I’ll take MSU next week….

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You’re an idiot on several levels. One, for believing the thing about being favored in ‘THE GAME’. All of us who are true fans of either of these teams knows the records are thrown out for this match up. You’re further illustrations alluding to previous games and what you did in the past make no difference when it comes to ‘The Game’. Also, it doesn’t matter how many points we win by, whether by 1 or 100, we still get the ‘w’. Now, go mewl to someone who cares, your team lost, and I savor it as I did the other 4 losses big blew got handed this year.

waynefontes says:Dec 1, 2013 9:05 AM

taintedlombardis says:
Nov 30, 2013 8:13 PM
waynefontes says:

….you’re so smart, you should be the head of officiating in both the NCAA and the NFL.

Auburn beats Missouri, Auburn gonna’ jump Bucknuts. Auburn will have 2 wins over top5 teams in 2 weeks. Heck, Bucknuts ain’t played 2 top 5 teams over any 5 year period, yet alone 2 weeks in a row. That weak schedule and weak league gonna’ cost them Bucknuts ….
Cal … hahahha
Northwestern – 7 loses in a row.
Wisconsin – rolled by pitiful Penn State.
Even beating Michigan and Michigan State ain’t that great. Who has Michigan State beaten that is any good ?
’nuff said …

Go Spartans …

sillec28 says:Dec 1, 2013 11:46 AM

I wouldn’t write OSU off if they end up in the NC game despite their ridiculous schedule. Urban Meyer knows how to prepare a team for the NC game.

ohioguy614 says:Dec 1, 2013 2:17 PM

Let’s all see how next week plays out, then we can start talking smack. Ohio State still needs to get by Michigan State, and Florida State still needs to get by Duke. You just never know what could happen! It’s why you play the game, then sort it out.

However, the SEC needs to realize the NC game was not designed just for them. You have no claim to it just because you won the year before. Get off your arrogant high horse and understand that NONE of your teams are undefeated right now and you are the ones on the outside looking in. Sucks, doesn’t it?

What does it say about the SEC when last years basement teams are playing the next year for the SEC championship game? Makes you wonder.

brutusbuckeye2011 says:Dec 1, 2013 2:39 PM

It strikes me as odd that many of the same people who feel tOSU should get no credit for 24 straight wins thought Alabama should get the nod at being number 1 (before yesterday) because of their previous championships. Saying tOSU would be mediocre in the SEC or ACC is ridiculous. You may remember that TAM and Mizzou were predicted to be bottom dwellers when they moved to the SEC. In addition, Nebraska was predicted to dominate the B1G when they moved from the Big 12. TAM and Missouri have done very well. Nebraska has not come close to dominating the B1G.